News

Govt. unable to bear total cost of ‘Sisu Seriya’ school bus service

Published

2 years ago

May 30, 2023

editor

It has been proposed to make parents pay 30% of the bus fees for the monthly season tickets issued to students.

The Minister of Transport and Highways and Media and the Cabinet Spokesman, Bandula Gunawardena, announced this at the weekly Cabinet briefing today (May 30).

He explained the economic situation and stated that if the government cannot recover at least 30% of the cost from parents, the Sisu Seriya” school bus service will have to be terminated.

“However, we have considered the education of school children, the country’s future and decided to pay 70%”, the Minister stated.

Meanwhile, it has also been decided to provide the service free of charge for the children of low-income families receiving subsidies, with parents who are unable to pay event the 30% of the fare, according to the minister.

News

“Reports of Wijepala – Nissanka meeting, fake”

Published

11 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Public Security Ministry has denied media reports claiming that the Public Security minister – Ananda Wijepala had met Nissanka Senadhipathi.

The Minister’s media secretary had clarified this in a letter to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Adding that the neither the Minister or a representative had ever met Senadhipathi as claimed, the letter calls for proper investigations into the fake news and legal action against those responsible.

News

Special allowance for policemen on duty at ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

15 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.

The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.

News

Ravi K’s Bill to repeal Online Safety Act, gazetted

Published

15 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.

The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.

The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.

On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.